Shri Vakkom B. Purushothaman, veteran Congress leader and Advocate, was born at Vakkom on April 12, 1928 as the son of Shri Bhanu Panicker and Smt. Bhavani.

Beginning his political life as an active worker of students Congress in 1946, he became a member of Vakkom Panchayat in 1953. Later, he served as President, DCC, Thiruvananthapuram, General Secretary, KPCC and Vice – President, KPCC. He has been a member of AICC for over 25 years.

Shri Vakkom Purushothaman became elected to the Kerala Legislative Assembly in 1970, 1977, 1980 and 1982 from Attingal Constituency. Holding the portfolio of Agriculture and Labour from 25-9-1971 to 25-3-1977 in the Ministry headed by Shri. C. Achutha Menon, Shri Vakkom Purushothaman was also the Minister for Health and Tourism from 25.1.1980 to 16.10.1981 in the Nayanar Ministry.

Shri Vakkom adorned the Chair of Speaker of the Assembly from 24.6.1982 to 28.12.1984.

Subsequently he served as a member of the Lok-Sabha during 1984-89 and 1989 – 91 .

He had served also as Chairman, Committee on Public Undertakings and Committee on Subordinate Legislation of Parliament besides being the Chairman of the Consultative Committee of Experts to the CIDP of Inter Parliamentary Union, Geneva for five years.

Shri Purushothaman has had a remarkable stint also as the Lt. Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands for three years from March 1993. He was the leader of the Indian delegation to the Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States held at Barbados in 1996.

In 2001, he was again elected to the 11th KLA from Attingal constituency, and served as Speaker for the Second time from 6.6.2001 to 4.9.2004. He has been holding the portfolio of Finance and Excise, since 5.9.2004, in the Ministry headed by Shri. Oommen Chandy.

Shri. Vakkom Purushothaman has also had the charge of Chief Minister in the absence of Shri. Oommen Chandy in connection with the meeting of World Economic Forum at Davos in January 2006, and for sometime therafter, and has acted as Leader of the House during the 14th Session of the XI KLA during February, 2006.

Dr. Lilly Purushothaman is his wife, and they have two sons and one daughter.